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High quality standard and bespoke outdoor living products designed to create additional beautiful outdoor space protected from the often great, but extremely variable British weather.
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With Us TodaySamson Awnings offer a vast range of fixed or Retractable Awnings, commercial Retractable Canopies, Glassrooms, Parasols, External Vertical Blinds and Freestanding Structures to protect from the UK weather and extend the use of your outdoor space all year round.
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With Us Today
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Top Products for Rain Protection Outdoors This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors, but the unpredictable British weather all too often interrupts it. Whilst a lot of products we supply and install are for sun shading and protection from harmful UV rays and the intense heat, we are in the UK and it still rains a lot anytime of the year and often without warning.
So, which products are best to consider, specifically if you want to protect yourself, your friends and family, your pets, and so on, from the great and frequent British rain?
Parasols
This may be the simplest solution coming up in your mind. Parasols using waterproof or water resistant fabrics will of course protect you from falling rain. We can supply from smaller and standard sizes to very large sizes of parasols for domestic and commercial use. For the best overall stability and strength, we recommend centre pole supported ranges.
Suggested products:
Models from Tradewinds offer protection but there is also our premium May collection, parasols from a dedicated German manufacturer for domestic and commercial use.The ultimate parasol for sun, rain and wind speeds over 100km/h is the Vortex…Designed and manufactured in the UK with a wide choice of shapes and sizes this is the ultimate parasol for all year round.
Glass Verandas
For a truly outdoor weather solution, a fixed aluminium structure using large glass panels in the roof sections and providing 100% water proof rain protection from above.The glass veranda varieties are very customisable to fit your outdoor layout, whether you prefer a wall mounted sloped design, a flat roof configuration or a free standing set up.
The integrated rainwater gutting system, which directs rainfall from the roof through unseen downpipes, makes this structure even more functional. This helps to keep your patio or deck area dry and avoid splashing water.This is generally believed to be the perfect weather protection solution for the UK weather amongst specialists, but only if you also include a retractable fabric blind with the glass to provide sun shade too, for use in the hotter months. Extend the fabric awning when it is hot and sunny and have the clear glass roof for the rainfall, all collected and drained away at low level… Perfect!!…..
Additionally, you can add sliding glass walls or vertical blinds to the structure for increased comfort, which will protect you from wind and driving rain. No matter what the British summer throws at you, this structure is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. You can even sit back and watch the rain fall from the comfort of your dry, shaded sanctuary.Suggested products:
Retractable Pergola Awnings
The pergola awning system was introduced in the UK around 2009 as a made to measure retractable weather protection system offering far higher levels of wind stability than a normal folding arm awning could ever achieve, with a tighter fabric canopy because of the framework, which also meant it could deal with rain better too.There are two types of distinctive pergola fabric awning systems generally. One using an awning fabric and rolling the fabric in and out like a huge roller blind system with tracking and another, using thicker, triple layered fabric which folds in and out under the framework. Both these systems use electric motor drives as standard for the fabric cover. You can have wall mounted or free standing models as required.
A key factor for the fabric pergola is letting natural light still come underneath the covered area.. A huge factor for keeping the outdoor covered area feeling light and airy and a desirable place to spend time beneath in any weather..
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Louvered Pergolas
This product has stormed onto the UK market in the last 5 years from other countries, however you need to be aware that many models being offered are more sun shade orientated and are coming from manufacturers in hot countries, where sun shade is all that is required and rainfall protection is maybe limited depending on the drainage system size and how the blades deal with the rain too.
Be aware that any louvre roof system will always cut out all natural light when closed against rain. Undeniable but relevant to many people when fitting to your home directly as it will cut out natural light, potentially even with the blades openedA louvered pergola structure which has been designed to deal with the rain and sun means aluminium blades which connect and seal with each other, but then enhanced rainwater drainage, with sufficient drainage capabilities for heavier rain in the perimeter channels and larger size of downpipe to take water to lower levels.
Suggested products:
A dry and comfortable outdoor space can turn your garden into your favourite summer destination. Whether you decide on retractable awnings, glass verandas, modern pergolas with waterproof canopy, or an umbrella, make sure your space reflects your style while providing weather protection. Still have questions? Speak with our team today to have an informal chat and get prices instantly from us.
There are many other options with bespoke shapes and functionality and the larger you go the more likely planning permission would be required.
At Samson Outdoor Living, we complete a full comprehensive survey for our customer before adding a pergola, making sure it complies with local planning permission rules. The right pergola is not just about style and function – it also needs to meet height, size and placement regulations to avoid potential issues. Thus, if you have any questions, contact us today so we can help you choose a product that aligns with planning guidelines and keeps your project hassle-free.
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Do pergolas require planning permission?
Whether you’d like to create an outdoor sanctuary or simply provide sun shade and UV protection during a family gathering meal, a pergola structure can bring your vision to life as well as offer an all-season oasis, even with British weather. However, one of the most common questions we usually receive is that if a pergola installation needs planning permission?
In short, most pergolas do not require planning permission. However, there are a few exceptions. In this article, we will go over the requirements for pergolas to help you decide whether you need a planning permission.
WHAT SIZE ARE YOU CHOOSING?
The size and type of pergolas will affect if you need planning permissions. If your pergola is small, standard sized designed for residential gardens, it should be fine.
Following the general rule from 1st October 2008*, pergolas and other garden structures are generally exempt from seeking planning approval as long as the following requirements are met:
1. No structure forward of the principal elevation fronting a highway.
2. It must be one story, with a maximum eave’s height of 2.5 metres and a total height of no more than or equal to 4 metres for a pitched roof or 3 metres for any other type of roof.
3. The maximum height can be more than 2.5 metres within 2 metres of a boundary.
Planning permission is probably required if the pergola you expect is larger than these and enclosed by walls and a roof. This is due to the fact that it can be considered as an expansion of your property. However this a very grey area in terms of whether the structure is a ‘temporary’ structure or not. All these pergola systems are designed for outdoor use and do not require foundations as used in normal domestic house building or indeed damp proof floors and building control sign off.
DO YOU LIVE IN A CONSERVATION AREA?
You will most likely need planning approval if you live in a conservation area or if the structures will be built on the side of your house between the house and the boundary. Both conservation areas and the side spaces between homes are locations where councils want to strictly control development, therefore, a pergola would probably need approval first.
Similarity, if your property is a designated listed building, you will need planning authorization. To maintain the historical integrity of a listed building, permission is required for any external changes. Pergola installation would be subject to listed building rules since it would be considered an external change.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PERGOLA FOR YOUR GARDEN
The word and definition of ‘pergola’ has significantly evolved in the last five years in the UK.
Originally we only ever heard the term referring to a timber structure used in gardens and terraces for light sun shade and growing various climbing plants up and along the roof beams. It defined an outdoor seating area for relaxing and enjoying outdoors
Now however, whilst the intended purpose may be similar, the term ‘Pergola’ refers to various aluminium and steel structures with integrated fixed or retractable roof systems which can offer far greater performance. These can be structures with awning fabrics, triple layered waterproof fabrics, rotating aluminium blades and even glass. With their intended use, they have effectively become more like the definition of a ‘gazebo’ for their function.
Pergolas in 2025 are being used to create defined outdoor spaces with either sun shade or rain protection or both of course, with even further weather protection from infilling one or more sides of the structure..So, which pergola is right for you?
Basic Sun Shade
A wide range of sloping or flat roof structure pergolas with retractable, outdoor specification fabrics. The most basic systems just slide back and forth with a pulley system and can be manual or electric operated.Sun Shade and Light Rain
More advanced pergola systems, with far higher wind ratings, operate in and out of a closed cassette under great tension and some models will be zipped into the side channels for 4 sided fabric tension.. This tension provides greater wind ratings and also ensures when used in rain the weight of the rainwater doesn’t sag the fabric and cause water pooling and damage on the cover.Sun and Rain (with wind protection options)
Many systems exist for rain protection, with and without built in rainwater guttering.
The structures are usually stronger and can also incorporate additional products to the sides for protection against wind and driving rain.
Fabric roof systems retract where louvre bladed systems generally do not, although there are some models which do retract to expose around 80% open clear roof.
Think carefully on louvre bladed systems as when being used for rain protection they are totally closed and act like a blackout blind blocking all natural light, where fabric roof systems can let good level of light through special fabrics designed for this purpose whilst still 100% waterproof. This can make the area underneath very pleasant or very dark.There are many other options with bespoke shapes and functionality and the larger you go the more likely planning permission would be required.
At Samson Outdoor Living, we complete a full comprehensive survey for our customer before adding a pergola, making sure it complies with local planning permission rules. The right pergola is not just about style and function – it also needs to meet height, size and placement regulations to avoid potential issues. Thus, if you have any questions, contact us today so we can help you choose a pergola that aligns with planning guidelines and keeps your project hassle-free.
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Markilux Markant
Come along and visit our showroom at your convenience, parking is free and adjacent, and we will offer you a hot drink!
Wellingborough Northamptonshire, NN8 4BH
The markilux Markant on display with a recent installation here at our showroom.
Benefit now from more clients sitting down or being barflowers in your venue!
Make the most of uncovered or unused outdoor space, this beautiful installation is suitable for education, bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs, retail, sports venues and hotels. Profit from the extra space created, extra seating provided, extra revenue per year!
Comfort, beautiful aesthetics, ambient atmosphere, all year round space!
More space = more sales – people are drawn outside, they want to enjoy the light, fresh air and space.
Benefit from this strong trend and create an attractive outdoor area using products that offer all year round protection. The advantage: your guests can stay outdoors for longer, even in not-so-mild winters. Increase your dining space and your sales as a result!
By extending your hospitality you will attract more customers, protect guests from weather, enhance business branding. Ask us about placing your logo on this product.
Come and see it for yourself.
Book a survey at your convenience by calling 01933 448 844
Markant stands proudly on 4 posts covering an area of 6m x 6m, or 36m²
For an area of 36m² prices starts at £14k excluding VAT excluding Installation.
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New funky fabrics for your awning!
Discover the ‘smart art’ range
The Samson team are excited to be bringing inspiring art straight to your patio in the form of new and creative fabrics, aligned with our mission to offer the very best bespoke and innovative services.
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NEW Markilux Pergola Stretch
Earlier in the year, we were delighted to introduce the new, award-winning Pergola Stretch to our diverse range of bespoke, high quality outdoor living products.
Now we’d like to run through the greatest benefits and features of the Pergola Stretch, during the time of year where our clients begin to consider their upcoming home improvements for 2022.
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The New Markilux MX-3 Cassette Awning
New from German awning manufacturer Markilux is the MX-3, an awning that showcases the very best in modern awning design and technology in 2019.
Markilux are renowned as one of the best awning manufacturers in the world, if not the very best. Based in Germany, all of their awnings are tested in the northern German climate, one that is similar to ours in Britain. Markilux manufacturer everything from the mechanisms to the fabrics, which are perhaps the best you will find on awnings anywhere in the world.
This commitment to high quality products and innovative design has lead to Markilux being awarded multiple awards, including the iF Design Awards and Interior Innovation Awards. From their fantastic designs to their high standards of reliability and build quality, Markilux are rightfully one of the biggest and best awning manufacturers on the market.
The MX-3 takes these elements and showcases them all in one retractable cassette awning. The design of the cassette itself is unique and unlike anything else you will see. The compact cassette is unobtrusive, and the awning design as a whole combines powerful clear lines with attractive curves to create a truly unique and breath taking appearance, whilst the huge customisation options for both the awning and cassette itself mean that the MX-3 can truly fit in on a number of properties. The MX-3 comes in a massive range of colours. Eight different colour designs are as standard, ranging from an eyecatching Sulphur Yellow or a spectacular Traffic Red, to a more subtle Pearl White or Agate Grey. These can however be changed for any RAL colour at all for maximum individuality. The Markilux Mx-3 cassette awning can have two different sorts of LED lighting, helping to keep your outdoor area illuminated and extending its usability. It can either have a recessed LED line or LED spotlights inside the cassette. For more information on the brand new Markilux MX-3 cassette awning, please visit our product page by clicking here, or call us and speak to one of our knowledgeable experts who will be able to answer your questions.
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Example of a Unique Domestic Installation of Vertical Blinds
Recently fitted by Samson Awnings & Terrace Covers, these Markilux external window blinds were requested to provide sun shading on a large and uniquely shaped window on a domestic property. For this particular window we divided it into two blinds, a simple square blind at the bottom and a more unique triangular blind above. The Markilux range of external fabric cassette blinds is incredibly diverse, and it includes the special Markilux 893 blind, designed for use on triangular windows. The majority of blinds we sell utilise RTS technology, and similarly, this blind is electrically operated as standard. Because of this, the motor drive is able to be controlled wirelessly, and this gives the flexibility to add many different controls over and above the simple remote control handset. Timers, sun sensors, themostats and other controls all give the possibility of controlling both the light and temperature even when you are away from your property. This blind is designed to fit externally, to prevent solar gain and also to provide additional privacy. External blinds are fast becoming a more popular product for temperature control in buildings across the UK, following the lead of our European neighbours. Using an external blind provides an additional layer of sunlight control, protects against the wind, and also provides some additional security when using the zip blind system, with the fabric zipped in the side channels and pulled out of the cassette under tension. Many modern fabrics are incredibly resilient to all sorts of weather conditions, and there are also many options for perforated materials, which will allow some limited vision when closed too. All of the blinds are purpose made to order, and provide an excellent solution to a lot of shading and wind protection issues. For more on your options regarding shading for your properties windows, click here For more on our vertical blind products, click here
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New Lighting for the Markilux Pergola
The very popular weather protection system from Markilux now has 2 very striking lighting options to enhance to space underneath this superb retractable fabric roof system. The Pergola has been a great product to provide extra protection above what a normal retractable awning can provide. The Pergola has support posts and a lean-to tracking guide system to take the awning in and out, supporting all the time from the sides as well as being tensioned front to back. The result is a large fabric cover system with extra tension on the fabric to provide strength against higher winds speeds and the option to protect against rainfall (when the pitch is set to 15 degrees or more), which many awnings cannot do. The new lighting options for the Pergola are either adjustable spotlights on the cover tube sections, or a diffused LED light line in the entire length of the support tube. These lights come with a dimming option, which gives you supreme control over the light and atmosphere under the Pergola. LED lights have a service life of around 20,000 hours, with 5W bulbs demanding very little power. As a result, this is a lighting option that will last for many, many years, whilst costing very little along the way. Learn more about the Pergola here
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Markilux Awning Textiles
Awnings Designed to Last Dyeing Markilux offers sunsilk and sunvas, both of which are made with high-tech polyesters, offering fantastic UV radiation protection. These materials are the future of awning fabrics, with impressive longevity and fantastic self-cleaning properties. Developments in the dying process have also meant that the range of colours is now much wider. Previously, colours would have to be dyed in huge quantities, meaning only a few colour options were available, however colours can now be printed in much smaller quantities, making them far more cost-effective. Both the sunvas and the sunsilk materials are environmentally friendly, and completely non-toxic. All Markilux fabrics are certified with the ‘Okotex’ label, confirming that they adhere to Oko-Tex Standard 100 regarding harmful materials. All technical values have been tested in Germany by the manufacturer, but also independently to confirm the technical characteristics.
Bonding Markilux’s ‘ultrasonic bonding’ process is a marked improvement on other styles of joining fabrics, particularly for the purposes of awnings and blinds. Markilux also refer to a ‘holohedral’ bonding process, which has replaced the older method of stitching panels together, offering a number of benefits. By bonding the panels together, the lifespan of these awnings is increased, as the thread that weathered and perished over time is no longer used. This thread was also susceptible to wearing when coming into contact with the bearings, which is no longer a concern. The bonded panels also no not let water or light through at all, which the stitching join did. Being bonded instead of stitched also means the finish is smoother, which leads to less wear when being operated, extending the lifespan of Markilux awnings even more. Note: If you wish to have your fabrics stitched rather than bonded, it must be made explicitly clear when ordering. Some conservatory awnings cannot be bonded, and are stitched as a result.
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Variable Light System for Mild Summer Evenings
When summer’s warm temperatures entice you to go outside, you would like to spend your days preferably until the late evening hours outdoors, or on your own balcony or patio. A possibly variable lighting system is needed for the matching atmosphere, from cosy to well lit.
Here, the shade providers such as the Markilux 6000 show their practical side. According to the manufacturer, the patio awning does not only offer comfortable solar protection for different living areas during the day, but also spot lights integrated in the projection profile offer the possibility to set atmospheric light accents in the evening.
Depending on the size interval of the awning, between two to six new energy-saving LED spot lights (24 Volts/4.8 Watt) can be used. The swivelling spot lights can now also be switched on and off comfortably at the touch of a button using an electronic radio receiver and hand transmitter.
Optionally you can also use the radio system io-homecontrol to control the brightness of the LED spot lights, which have a light colour of 2,700 Kelvin. This permits the creation of warm cosy to bright friendly colour rooms, depending on the awning fabric chosen, which invite to let the evening pass outside protected by an awning roof.
